18 Vegetable Side Dishes (that aren’t boring!)
18 Vegetable Side Dishes (that aren’t boring!)If you’re like me and eat lots of vegetables, you’re probably always on the lookout for new vegetable side dishes to add to your menu.
I make at least one vegetable side dish for dinner, and steamed broccoli or plain green beans is a little boring for me.
I do steam vegetables now and then, but I much prefer roasting my broccoli with a little olive oil and sea salt over steaming it. My “normal” simple green bean dish is boiling them for 4-5 minutes and then finishing them off in a hot skillet with a bit of olive oil and a dash of seasoned salt.
Yummmmmm
(By the way, my sister posted all about veggies that are great for roasting and there are a bunch of great recipes to try!)
It’s so much easier to eat vegetables when they’re deliciously prepared!
How do you prepare delicious vegetable side dishes?
The main things to remember when preparing vegetable side dishes are these:
- Be sure to adequately season your vegetables, including salt, which can bring out a lot of flavor in your dish. Fresh herbs and spices do wonders for vegetable dishes! Experiment with spice combinations and be prepared to fall in love with how good veggies can actually be!
- Don’t overcook your vegetables. When they become mushy, they are not very enjoyable! Crispy, roasted vegetables can be much tastier than soft ones. If a vegetable is naturally soft, try to crisp it up instead of intensifying how soft it is.
- Lastly, sometimes a bit of tomato sauce or a sprinkle of cheese is *just* what a vegetable dish needs to give it its finishing touch. Don’t be afraid to do some sprinkling after your dish comes out of the oven! 🙂
What can I pair with these vegetable side dishes?
I *highly* recommend starting your dinner menu with these Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Kabobs + this Spinach Yogurt Sauce – these, plus a couple of vegetable side dishes, and you have a GREAT dinner plan!
A copycat Nando’s grilled chicken or a simple flat-roasted whole chicken are delicious meals that would pair well with many of these vegetable side dishes.
Having a barbecue? Try this teriyaki grilled chicken or our copycat Chick-Fil-A Grilled Chicken Smokehouse BBQ Bacon Sandwiches!
A couple of my personal favorites are my easy Greek-style meatballs or our Perfect Pulled Pork!
Here are some beautiful vegetable side dishes that are far from boring!
18 Vegetable Side Dishes (that aren't boring!)
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
This bacon-wrapped asparagus has a sweet brown sugar glaze that caramelizes in the oven.
It seems like such a special-occasion vegetable side dish, but who says you have to have a special reason to enjoy this?! 🙂
This is a simple recipe - just a few minutes of prep time, then 25 minutes or so in the oven.
Broiled Tomatoes (A Low Carb Snack!)
I know what I'll be doing with all my summer tomatoes! This recipe looks amazing - use it as a vegetable side dish or as a yummy lunch idea!
These tomatoes are sliced, seasoned, topped with cheese, and broiled!
This delicious dish can be prepped and cooked in literally just minutes.
Mexican Street Style Grilled Cauliflower
If you're doing low-carb or keto, you can still enjoy the flavors of Mexican street corn with this grilled cauliflower recipe. 🙂
Garlicky crema and Cotija cheese take the flavors of this vegetable side dish up a notch!
How fun would this be to serve when you're entertaining this summer!
The Best Garlic & Dill Roasted Carrots
Simple but delicious!
Season and drizzle with oil, then roast in the oven.
These carrots are sweet but salty, browned and tender!
Cheesy Roasted Green Beans
This cheesy garlic green bean dish is low-carb and Keto-approved.
This is one of the easiest vegetable side dishes to make, and it's a great crowd-pleaser!
Teriyaki Broccoli
Fresh broccoli, shallots, and mushrooms simmered in a garlic teriyaki glaze make a great vegetable side dish!
Ready in just 15 minutes!
Fresh Corn Salad with Tomatoes
This corn salad is full of fresh corn, tomatoes, onions and parsley with a flavorful and tangy dressing.
This is a vegetable side dish that is perfect for summer barbecues or picnics!
Sauteed Zucchini with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Sauteed zucchini with loads of delicious flavors added in!
Sundried tomatoes, crispy bacon, freshly shaved Parmesan, and crispy fried onions make this a vegetable side dish that you'll crave!
Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad
Fresh summer cucumbers and tomatoes, herbs and onions, topped with a creamy dressing!
This vegetable side dish is so refreshing on hot summer days!
Spanish Cauliflower Rice
This low-carb Spanish "rice" is a great vegetable side dish to serve with your favorite Mexican or Southwest meals!
It's a whole-foods dish made with fresh vegetables and herbs that is fresh and satisfying.
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans, and Cranberries
Roasted brussels sprouts, crispy bacon, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries come together to make a warm, flavorful vegetable side dish!
Such a colorful dish that is so delicious!
Sauteed Cabbage | Easy, Healthy Recipe
Sauteed cabbage becomes a little caramelized and crispy....
You'll find yourself surprised at how delicious it is!
Roasted Potatoes, Carrots and Beets
This recipe is the perfect way to roast root vegetables!
Balsamic vinegar and rosemary make this dish exceptional!
Ratatouille Recipe
Layers of yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, potato, and bell pepper on a bed of flavorful tomato and béchamel sauce.
This is definitely a comforting vegetable side dish that you'll want to try!
Twice Baked Butternut Squash
This vegetable side dish is healthy but indulgent!
It's a creamy dish that is company-worthy!
Tornado Potatoes
Potatoes cut on a skewer are buttered and seasoned, then roasted.
This is a salty treat that makes such a fun vegetable side dish!
La Peperonata - Bell Peppers in Tomato Sauce
La Peperonata is made with slow-cooked bell peppers in a beautiful tomato sauce.
This Italian vegetable side dish can be served hot or cold.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Brussel Sprouts n Kale Salad Recipe
This Cracker Barrel copycat is a delicious healthy salad of shredded brussel sprouts and kale, craisins, and crunchy pecans, all dressed in a maple vinaigrette.
It's easy to make at home and tastes like the original!
How can I make my vegetables taste good and healthy?
Making vegetables taste good and still be good for you at the same time is easy!
Start by adding plenty of seasoning – spices, fresh herbs take vegetables up a notch!
Don’t serve “mushy” vegetables. Roasting vegetables (drizzle with olive oil and use high heat in the oven) makes them crispy and brings out natural caramelization that will make your veggies taste delicious!
When it works, add tomato sauce or a sprinkle of cheese to your vegetable side dishes to ramp up the flavor even more!
What is the healthiest way to cook vegetables?
The University of Central Florida says that steaming vegetables, not letting them touch the water and lose their nutrients into the water, is a healthy way. Just don’t overcook them!
They also say that cooking them stir-fry style over high heat locks in nutrients. Be sure to use a healthy variety of oil in a small quantity.
The other healthy way that UCF says is actually *microwaving* them. It’s simple and quick and needs no added fat to cook them. I always thought that microwaving destroyed the nutrients!
:: PIN FOR LATER ::
What other vegetable side dishes are your favorites? I always love to try a new one! 😀
18 Vegetable Side Dishes (that aren't boring!)
Ingredients
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Broiled Tomatoes
- Mexican Street Style Grilled Cauliflower
- Garlic & Dill Roasted Carrots
- Cheesy Roasted Green Beans
- Teriyaki Broccoli
- Corn Salad with Tomatoes
- Sauteed Zucchini with Sundried Tomatoes
- Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Spanish Cauliflower Rice
- Brussel Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans, & Cranberries
- Sauteed Cabbage
- Roasted Potatoes, Carrots, & Beets
- Ratatouille
- Twice Baked Butternut Squash
- Tornado Potatoes
- La Peperonata
- Brussels and Kale Salad
Instructions
Click the recipe links above to make and enjoy a lovely vegetable side dish!
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Yall knocked it out the park with all these delicious looking recipes! Thank you so much!
Aww thanks! Enjoy!